A few weeks ago we covered the topic of the inward/outward paradigm in global missions. That may have seemed more like "theoretical doctrine" but this topic gripped our class emotionally.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Here are five excerpts:

1. Success comes from knowing and doing God’s word. We cannot be profoundly influenced by that which we do not know.
2. Success is equally available to all of us. In large part, it is measured by faithfulness.
3. Success is not determined by status or stature.
4. Success is impossible apart from loving God.
5. Attitude contributes more to success than money, gifts, and status.

“Don’t aim your life for your future; aim your life for your Father, and your Father will take care of your future.”
—Troy Dobbs, Senior Pastor of Grace Church Eden Prairie, speaking last week to the Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) seniors’ breakfast during the TCX (Twin Cities Xperience) Christmas conference in Minneapolis

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.—James 1:5–8

I recently sat at a seminar presented by Jim Cymbala, in which he said, “Paul did not say, ‘I’ve danced a good dance,’ but, ‘I fought the good fight.’”

The Holy Spirit is God. He has the power to create love in our hearts any way he pleases. Why then does he create that love only through our conscious trust in the promises of Jesus?

Faith feeds on the word of God. Without a steady diet it gets weaker and weaker. If you are dissatisfied with your Christian courage and joy and purity of heart, check the way you are feeding your faith.

I know "savingly" is awkward. But how would you ask the question
posed by 1 Corinthians 16:22? "If anyone does not love the Lord, he
is to be accursed"? If we do not love Christ, we will not be saved.
So we must love "savingly." Or how would you ask the same question,
posed by Matthew 24:12-13? "Because lawlessness is increased, most
people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end,
he will be saved"? Love can grow cold and die. That is not a love
that "endures to the end" and is "saved." So again, we must love